Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

198

Roman Africa

chela, where some Roman baths named Aqua Flavianse had been
established.

The date is also A.D. 194, but the chief interest attached to
this dedication is the recognition of these joint Emperors, one
as Augustus, and the other as Caesar.1 The name of the latter has
been subject to the usual erasure, probably by the order of Severus.

PRO SALVTE • ET VICTORIA • DOMINI ■ N ■
IMP L • SEPTIMI SEVERI PERTINACIS AVG ET
CLODI ALBINI CAES AESCVLAPEM . ET ■ HYGIAM
DEDICANTE LEPIDO TERTVLLO • LEG • AVG
PR • PR • C • V • M • OPPIVS • ANTIOCHIANVS . . .
LEG III AVG II ... E VINDICIS POSVIT ET V ' S

For the first time in Roman history an Emperor of foreign
extraction was to take high rank in the long line of Caesars, and
the obscure town of Leptis in Africa was to become prominent
as the birthplace of that remarkable ruler of men, Lucius
Septimius Severus. His association with the progress and
development of North Africa, second to none other at that period
of the possessions of the Empire, is marked by innumerable
inscriptions in most parts of the country. During his reign of
eighteen years colonisation spread to the extreme west bordering
on the Atlantic ; villages became towns, protection was afforded
to settlers on the Desert frontier, and the uprising of turbulent
native tribes was almost unknown. This was the climax of
Roman Africa. The patronage of the Court was extended to its
citizens, and for the first time the African and the Italian shared
alike the patronage of the Palace and the favours of the Emperor.
The stern rule of Severus and his activity as a soldier had
nothing in common with the gentle sway of Antonine or the
calm dignity of Aurelius. Tranquillity of life and the pleasures
of the metropolis had no charms for his restless intriguing dis-
position. We hear of him everywhere. From the banks of the
Euphrates to the borders of Scotland there was scarcely a pro-
vince of the great Empire which had not shared the favour of
his presence, or participated in the benefits of his strong perso-
nality. Of distinguished parentage, attaining success early in life
in various branches of literature and philosophy, and exhibiting

1 C.I.L. No. 17726. Comfies retidus de PJcade/nie d'Hipfo, a. 1888, pp. 7-64.

CLODI

SEPTIMI

ALBINI

CAES